The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Stewardship and Socially Responsible Investing presented its Report #5 on Resolution A089 (Resolution on Divestment & Just Transition) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A089)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the General Convention, affirming resolution 2015-C045 and 2018-D081, direct the Episcopal Church and urge the Church Pension Fund to continue to divest all funds from fossil fuel companies and mutual funds including fossil fuel companies, including but not limited to natural gas, oil, coal, and fracking, by 2025 and that these divested funds be reinvested in renewable energy funds and that no fossil fuels funds be purchased in the future; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses and congregations continue to explore the moral and ethical benefits of divesting from fossil fuel and reinvesting in renewable energy and support their fund managers to act on divestment and reinvestment; and be it further.

Resolved, That the General Convention, also affirming resolution 2018-D081 and recognizing that many of our communities and congregations have been grown and sustained by fossil fuel industries, urge a pastoral and practical approach to just transition to new economies, and direct the Episcopal Church staff to form partnerships with existing just transition organizations to support our dioceses and congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $35,000 during the triennium to facilitate this collaborative work around just transition; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Office of Governmental Relations to advocate for and support public policies that support a just transition for fossil fuel dependent communities.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 80th General Convention, affirming resolution 2015-C045 and 2018-D081, direct the Episcopal Church and urge the Church Pension Fund to continue to divest all funds from fossil fuel companies and mutual funds including fossil fuel companies, including but not limited to natural gas, oil, coal, and fracking, by 2025 and that these divested funds be reinvested in renewable energy funds and that no fossil fuels funds be purchased in the future; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses and congregations continue to explore the moral and ethical benefits of divesting from fossil fuel and reinvesting in renewable energy and support their fund managers to act on divestment and reinvestment; and be it further.

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention, also affirming resolution 2018-D081 and recognizing that many of our communities and congregations have been grown and sustained by fossil fuel industries, urge a pastoral and practical approach to just transition to new economies, and direct the Episcopal Church staff to form partnerships with existing just transition organizations to support our dioceses and congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention urge the Church Pension Fund (CPF) to be mindful of the Church's desire to become increasingly invested in renewable and clean energy; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention request that the Church Pension Fund provide a report that includes a sustainability plan to the 81st General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $35,000 during the triennium to facilitate this collaborative work around just transition; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Office of Governmental Relations to advocate for and support public policies that support a just transition for fossil fuel dependent communities.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #122)